‘Shrikshetra Ru Sahi Jata’ Bags Best Documentary Award

‘Shrikshetra Ru Sahi Jata’ Bags Best Documentary Award

Bringing laurels to the State, Odia filmmaker Ashutosh Pattnaik’s documentary film ‘Shrikshetra Ru Sahi Jata’ bagged the first prize at the third edition of Chitra Bharati film festival in Gujarat on Sunday.

Organised by ‘Bhartiya Chitra Sadhna’ at Gujarat University, the festival featured 435 films from 23 States.

Along with a trophy and certificate, the Odia documentary also won a cheque of 1 Lakh rupees. Ashutosh received the award from Union Minister of State for Shipping, Chemical and Fertilizers Mansukh Laxmanbhai Mandaviya.

Speaking about the concept of the film, Ashutosh said unlike other places in Odisha where ‘Rama Leela’ (a play on Ramayan) is organised during Rama Navami, residents of Puri stage ‘Sahi Jata’ which involves artistes dressed as characters of ‘Ramayan’ roaming in the streets.

“Unfortunately, I was unaware of this unique tradition even though I hail from Puri. So when I got to know about ‘Sahi Jata’, I thought to popularise this tradition through my film,” he said.

Earlier, ‘Shrikshetra Ru Sahi Jata’ received a special Jury Mention at Noida International Film festival. The documentary was also screened at JDCA’s film festival held recently.

Ashutosh’s short ad film ‘The Butterfly’ in Odia, which is about girl child discrimination, was awarded third prize at Kallola Film Festival. His ‘Tara Can’ also bagged the first prize in the 5-minute category in ‘We Care Film Fest’.

The director said he is happy with short films and documentaries and has no plans for making feature films. “I want to make more films on diminishing Odia culture, folk dance and festivals,” Ashutosh added.